eBay Finds of the Day: Double dose of Delorean history - prototype #0001 and twin turbo
No need for lame BTTF jokes for this pair of DeLoreans. These deserve to stand on their own as two of the most significant vehicles in the history of DMC. A pair of DeLorean prototypes owned by Tony Ierardi of DeLorean Motor Company Florida are being offered on eBay to help raise some capital. The first one is the very first DeLorean prototype, the car that appeared on the cover of Road & Track in July 1977. Yeah, the car that started it all. Ierardi bought it in 2005 and put it through a one-year restoration. Currently insured at half a million bucks, the ebay top bid right now is around $100,000 with more than a week to go. Click the image at right to get to the listing for this piece of automotive history.The second car is also a significant prototype for DeLorean historians. It's a promise of what might have been in terms of performance. While other engine options were investigated, John DeLorean himself picked this vehicle to upgrade with a pair of turbochargers to increase performance. This particular car actually served as the factory press car. It was tested by Road & Track magazine and managed a 0-60 time of 5.8 sec. That was about 5 seconds quicker than the non-turbo. Although it never went into production, this sample has to be considered one of the best and definitely the fastest DeLorean to come from Ireland. It's current bid is $70,300 with eight days left. Click the image below to go to the eBay listing.
Thanks for the tip, Michael!
[Source: eBay]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben 1:29PM (4/04/2007)
The only thing I found particularly innovative about the Delorean was the stainless steel body. I don't understand why more car makers haven't copied it. It wasn't all that attractive to me otherwise.
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Mike 1:50PM (4/04/2007)
I'll never understand the fascination with these cars. They performed like crap and were ugly...
Much like the "Daytona" Ferrari 365 GTB/4 from Miami Vice, only people with no taste who watch too much TV like these cars...
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Don 2:38PM (4/04/2007)
I can see the allure of the prototype...but this Irish-built, French-powered disaster was a piece of junk.
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Matt 4:17PM (4/04/2007)
Now thats what an engine should look like, give the car some character not like all the plastic covered cubes we have today in our cars.
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Bill Lane 9:52PM (4/05/2007)
I own a DeLorean. I bought it new in December 1981. As with any new company and new products, there have been some problems, mostly of the irritating nature but not too many safety related. I wonder if those who have called the DeLorean a piece of crap have ever even seen one in reality or if their opinion is from personal experience.
Yes I've heard all the jokes about cocaine and going back to the future. My latest reply when a smart--- makes a remark is "I haven't heard that one since next week."
The DeLorean is not for everyone but it will always hold a unique place in Automotive History
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Justin 8:30AM (4/09/2007)
Stainless steel is very heavy #1. Deloreans are notoriously underpowered...the V6 not being sufficient to support the weight of the vehicle.
Still a classic. I'd kill for one.
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